NEW DELHI • India has summoned Canada's ambassador and warned of serious damage to diplomatic ties after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau commented on growing protests by farmers, the authorities said on Friday.
Tens of thousands of Indian farmers have been trying for more than a week to encircle the capital New Delhi in protest against new laws on the trading of farm produce.
There have been clashes with police and Mr Trudeau released a Twitter video last week calling the events "concerning" and saying farmers should be allowed to stage peaceful protests.
The protests are led by farmers from Punjab, an Indian state which accounts for many migrants in Canada.
The Indian foreign ministry said it had summoned Canada's top diplomat for a warning over "unacceptable interference" in India's internal matters.
"Such actions, if continued, would have a seriously damaging impact on ties between India and Canada," said a statement.
The ministry said "ill-informed" comments by Mr Trudeau and other Canadian politicians had encouraged "extremist" gatherings in front of Indian missions in Canada. "We expect the Canadian government to ensure the fullest security of Indian diplomatic personnel and its political leaders to refrain from pronouncements that legitimise extremist activism."
India has passed reforms which enable farmers to sell produce anywhere in the country and avoid state-run markets.
Farming still dominates the Indian economy and forms a powerful political bloc but it has been in crisis for many years.
Thousands of small farmers have committed suicide in recent years, blaming their debts.
Two entry points into New Delhi are now being guarded by heavily armed security forces against farmers who want to protest inside the capital. Talks between ministers and protesters have hit a stalemate and media reported that farm leaders last Thursday refused to eat or drink anything offered by the government during negotiations.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
